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The 'Secret Garden'

The 'Secret Garden' at Ballynahinch Primary School

Our Vision

Ballynahinch Primary School’s Secret Garden is Blossoming!

At Ballynahinch Primary School, we are committed to creating engaging, play-based learning opportunities that nurture the whole child. Our walled garden is being transformed into a vibrant sensory and play-based learning space where pupils can explore, discover, and grow.

Thanks to funding from the Department for Education (2024–2025 financial year), we have installed a range of exciting new play-stations (pictured below), giving our children fresh opportunities to learn through play in a safe and stimulating environment.

We are also delighted to have secured a £5,000 Community Involvement Grant from the NI Housing Executive, which enabled us to form a valuable partnership with Ballynahinch Men’s Shed. Their creativity and craftsmanship have brought our vision to life with a beautiful pergola, comfortable seating, and raised beds for sensory planting—features that make this space a hub for wellbeing and outdoor learning across the curriculum.

Our gardening journey has even welcomed past generations of pupils back to plant trees throughout the school grounds, strengthening intergenerational ties and creating a lasting legacy.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to launch ‘Grow Your Own’ workshops in early 2026, open to all pupils and their families. These sessions will bring together community groups such as Ballynahinch Community Collective and Men’s Shed, helping us achieve one of our main goals—strengthening community connections.

“We’re delighted to support this fantastic project. It benefits not only the school but the wider Ballynahinch community, giving children opportunities to engage with nature and outdoor learning—especially those without access to their own gardens.”

Claire Crainey, Housing Executive Area Manager.

This project represents more than just an outdoor space—it is a shared effort that brings together pupils, staff, families, and the wider community. A place of joy, discovery, and connection for all who step inside.